The murders committed in Manchester fill us with disgust and horror. However, we need to describe them for what they are. They are criminal acts committed by criminals. Somehow, by using the word "terrorist", we end up characterising ourself as cringing victims. The word gives the perpetrators a propaganda lift. The international criminal gangs who kill so many around the world cannot shield themselves under religious disguises. Hitler and Stalin were criminals. The Manchester bombers need to be recognised as the mass murderers they are.
Ken George, Geelong
Our terrible ignorance of the Middle East
What a pity the Christian children of the West have never been exposed to the history of the Middle East, except perhaps through the murky, distorted lens of the Crusades which effectively demonised Muslims. We in the West are now paying dearly for this ignorance as we vainly attempt to sort out the complex religious and secular power ambitions of the peoples of the Middle East. In the meantime, we should be wary of how we involve ourselves in this volatile region, and not be like the US, which wants to be the policeman but is ignorant of the law.
Michael Hutchison, Port Melbourne
Terrorists' contempt for our Western values
"How do I explain this to my own kids?", asks Bill Shorten. He could explain about Labor governments and "progressive" social forces adopting the ideology of "multiculturalism" to be imposed by government (rather than developing as a slow, societal process). Also, how cultural relativism is inherent in that imposition, with democratic, libertarian Western culture treated as equivalent, or inferior, to more medieval, unjust or corrupt cultures. And how this contempt for Western values becomes entrenched both as government and educational policies. Then how, after a generation or two have grown up with that indoctrination (including many who are new to the country), it is predictable that you will produce people who do not cleave to democratic Western culture. They also have no qualms about committing mass murder in the name of whatever primitive or bastardised belief system they have chosen.
Anthony Caughey, Elwood
Ending poverty will surely bring peace
The terror attack in Manchester has claimed another 22 innocent lives, including 10 children. It is not enough just to send our sympathies and prayers for the victims and hope for the best. Peace cannot be established without observing absolute justice on all levels. Is it fair for the US or other Western countries to profit from weapon trades? Spending billions of dollars on defence cannot end terrorism. However, ending poverty, hunger and slavery would surely bring peace.
Usman Mahmood, South Bowenfels, NSW
We need social integration and inclusiveness
Much will be made of a possible link with Islamic State. This may distract from a more disturbing phenomenon: the revolt of disaffected and suicidal youth for whom, as French political analyst Olivier Roy said, Islamic State merely "provides the script". Fringe-dwelling individuals with delusions of grandeur and a limited understanding of Islam are the common thread in relation to recent atrocities. They have no compunction in killing a gathering of youngsters. Anti-terrorist policing strategies will not suffice. Long-term social integration and inclusiveness, rather than obsessing about a collapsing caliphate, should be the priority of Western societies.
Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza
THE FORUM
Eradicate fanatics
The world is at war. The enemy is a lone-wolf extremist with no ideals or a terrorist fighting under the banner of Islam (and quite often not even a Muslim). Terrorists who create havoc in the name of Islam are not fighting a religious war;they want to destroy everything that does not meet their doctrine. Terror attacks can happen anywhere, at any time. Usually it is against a gathering of innocents, such as in Manchester. If these cowards believe their attacks will help them overrun the world with their ideology, they are mistaken. The effect is to make the population more resolved to stand up to terrorism. All nations, especially Muslim, need to be steeled in their resolve to eradicate these fanatics.
Alan Leitch, Austins Ferry, Tas
Affront to humanity
Hearts go out to the victims and families of the horrific attack in Manchester. It is an affront to all of humanity, irrespective of race, religion or creed.
Khizar Rana, Walkerville, SA
Dangerous panic
A stampeding crowd in panic poses as great a risk to patrons' safety as does the cause of the disturbance. Our government should immediately educate our communities, using television and other media, on crowd behaviour in situations such as the Manchester incident.
Graham Page, Buxton
Such heartless words
Quadrant's online editor, Roger Franklin, wrote that, "had there been a shred of justice", the Manchester blast would have "detonated in an Ultimo TV studio". What a disgusting comment. It is a pity there is not a law against being a bloody idiot.
Bronwyn Benn, Burwood
Words, words, words
According to Malcolm Turnbull, the Manchester bombing was an "attack on innocence". Really? This sort of platitudinous drivel spewed from politicians after the Lindt cafe siege, which exposed the incompetence of NSW police and legal authorities. And let us not forget "Je suis Charlie" in Paris. That must have put the wind up Islamic State, which has exulted in the appalling death toll in Manchester. Once again, self-promoting politicians think terrorism can be eliminated by rhetorical outrage. How encouraging for the terrorists.
Frank Carleton, Longwarry
Mixed congratulations
It is great that CSIRO management has had a change of heart and will fund climate science – a new centre that will examine the role oceans will play in climate change (The Age, 23/5). If there is any country that needs to know about possible changes ahead of us with floods and drought, it is Australia. It is not so great that it has taken half funding by China's Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology to make this "public good science" happen.
Lorraine Williams, Parkdale
Please, stop calling me
I question the assertion that the Australian Communications and Media authority has been effective in its regulatory role of the Do Not Call Register (The Age, 23/5). I gave up complaining after being ignored in my efforts to pursue a scammer with an apparently local number. When you question miscreants who make marketing calls about the register, they hang up. Overseas call centres ignore it. We need to see well-publicised prosecutions of locals, and of companies that use overseas call centres. We also need interception of calls from overseas scammers before they reach our system.
Jim Ettles, Eaglehawk
Nitpicking criticism
Cameron Woodhead, what is your problem? "Sporadically entertaining" (Arts, 18/5) for My Fair Lady and a complaint about your "middle-to-back stalls in that barn of a theatre"? Also, "go in with a glass-half-full attitude and you'll have a reasonable time" (Arts, 22/5) for Lally Katz's delightful Minnie and Liraz?
"A theatrical misstep" (Arts, 24/4) for Joanna Murray-Smith's provocatively entertaining Three Little Words? And only two stars? If your Twitter handle (Jaded Hackeroo) is accurate, perhaps you should change jobs instead of nitpicking in order to sound superior. At this rate, your one-star rating for StageArt's Spring Awakening (Arts, 23/5) might make it worth seeing.
Jo Woods, Glen Iris
Appalling floggings
In December 2004, a tsunami struck Indonesia and other Asian countries, causing countless deaths and severe damage. Banda Aceh was one of the worst hit. Australia responded with an initial $34.4million for Indonesia and, in January 2005, announced a $1billion aid package. Now we have public floggings of homosexuals and single heterosexuals in Banda Aceh under so-called "sharia law" (World, 24/5). Is this the Banda Aceh Australians hoped to see rebuilt?
John Stuchbery, Table Top, NSW
Singing in unison
Could someone, please, show Bill Shorten the Education Department data that states: "Catholic education authorities are shortchanging needy schools by up to $1.5million a year to help keep fees low at schools in wealthy areas in Melbourne and Sydney" (The Age, 23/5). Or is his concept of needy schools similar to that of his Liberal colleagues, and his demand for more money for the Catholic sector based on the same songbook?
Evert de Graauw, Wantirna
The high cost of dying
I worked for a big funeral provider for several years. I became angry when I read that funerals are too expensive relative to the basic cost (The Age, 23/5). Yes, they can be expensive – but what do you pay for a restaurant meal, relative to what it would cost to make at home (and how often)? If you get someone to supply goods and co-ordinate a (sometimes big) event, at short notice, it will be expensive. The big providers have premises, mortuaries and a fleet of cars, plus many staff. You get what you pay for.
Vi Gibson, Mitcham
Vive la revolution
Jessica Irvine's article on capitalism (Comment, 22/5) was spot on. Marx's economic analysis was reasonable, but the solution that he and Engels put forward was flawed.
Writers such as Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill, darlings of today's right-wing economists, were concerned about possible interpretations of their work and spent their remaining years writing books on ethics. This might be helpful in deciding lines of progress in our current situation.
We must also examine the consequences of doing nothing. The increasing number of homeless and increasing cost of utilities, rent etc compared with the ease with which the rich can increase their fortunes will, eventually, result in breaches of the law in the pursuit of survival needs, not to mention revenge directed at those deemed to be responsible or uncaring. We can only hope the consequences do not extend to those experienced in the French Revolution.
Jim Wright, Rye
Reduce the top salaries
The major banks are seeking the support of shareholders in their fight against the new levy (BusinessDay, 23/5). It is ironic they do not listen to those same shareholders who consider the bank executives' salaries to be unrealistic and exploitative.
I am a shareholder and would support the levy, and accept a reduced return, if most of the cost was met by reducing these remuneration packages. None of the "senior executives" contribute to the success of any company. They project a view and then expect others to make it happen. No executive should earn more than $1million a year.
Andrew Connell, Newtown
The banks' lost cause
Whilst it is understandable that banks would write to shareholders, it will be difficult to persuade people that the big five banks should not bear the burden of the new tax. The alternative is to hollow out the middle and lower classes of taxpayers by reducing government spending in areas that affect them. That does not play out well at the ballot box.
Instead, this policy offers the government immunity from blame. If banks pass on the costs to mortgage holders, or dividends fall, or employees are made redundant, banks get the blame. Considering there is bipartisan support for the policy, if banks manage to get the public behind their campaign, and stop the tax, we will know who runs the place. Not the government.
Tom Fanning, Balwyn North
Our very own bank
I would like to see our state or federal government set up a new bank that can be owned by the people. Like in the old days. We did it before and it worked a treat. I would move my business there.
James Wilkinson, Inverloch
The battle to belong
It is an irony that an advertisement promoting marriage equality – "Until we all belong" (The Age, 24/5) – sits beneath an article by Michael Gordon regarding Indigenous Australians meeting to voice their opinions on constitutional recognition. This situation indicates that, even after more than 200years, they are yet to fully belong. Once Indigenous Australians are fully recognised, then we can have the luxury of seeking support for other Australians.
Kate Sutherland, Beechworth
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
The Forrests' generosity is applauded by both Turnbull and Shorten. Might they respond in kind by increasing foreign aid.
Arthur Pool, Frankston South
Do the Forrests feel good because they gave Australia $400million? Who cares? They gave it.
Dawn Evans, Highton
Karma, James Ashby. Was it a loyal employee who betrayed you?
Pat Lord, Sale
Peter Dutton's "fake refugees" is fake news.
Stephen Baldwin, Frankston
The Dutton solution to the Latrobe Valley's jobless crisis. Send 'em back to where they come from.
Mick O'Mara, Winchelsea
Trump at the Wailing Wall, diligently studying construction techniques for his Mexican endeavour.
Bill Thomas, Castle Hill, NSW
Manchester attack
Oh, the inhumanity.
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
All responsible for the 2003 Iraq invasion have a lot to answer for.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Terrorists do it for publicity. Why give them this?
Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell
Furthermore
Peter Jones (22/5) is right to advocate that disadvantaged families have fewer children. As long as they produce enough to supply the mines and chimneys.
David Kerr, Geelong
"Police seeking man who allegedly imported ecstasy using Australia Post" (23/5). Obviously it wasn't speed.
Greg Tuck, Warragul
Catholic schools (23/5) advertise for teachers who hold the Catholic "ethos". I didn't realise it meant taking from the poor and giving to the rich.
Ian Hudson, Yarrambat
What did the avolatte (23/5) say to the mugaccino? "Go on, 'ave a latte, ya mug".
Ian Hill, Blackburn South